Aldi Best-Value Cheap High-Protein Plan — 1,800 kcal
Maximum protein on a tight budget. This 7-day plan targets 1,800 kcal/day and averages 152g of protein, built around Aldi's Everyday Essentials for an estimated £65–110/week. Meals lean on lower-fat protein — chicken breast, white fish, egg whites, low-fat dairy — so each meal carries more protein for the calories it costs, leaving room to hit the day's target without relying on volume alone.
Adjust Household PortionsCurrently 1 person · 1 cook portions
Your 7-Day Meal Plan
Monday
1799 kcal per person176g protein · 167g carbs per person
Breakfast542 kcal · 46g protein · 35g carbs · 12 min
Poached Eggs with Smoked Salmon on Toast
Made with eggs, smoked salmon, wholemeal bread.
Recipe
Ingredients
2 eggs
100g smoked salmon
2 slices of wholemeal bread
1 tsp lemon juice
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Eggs, Fish. Check the label for: Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Bring a small pan of water to a gentle simmer.
Crack an egg directly into the water and poach for 3-4 minutes, until the white is set but the yolk stays soft.
Toast wholemeal bread, then serve with the eggs and smoked salmon and lemon juice.
Lunch586 kcal · 45g protein · 74g carbs · 12 min
Tuna and Edamame Brown Rice Bowl
Made with tinned tuna in spring water, brown rice, edamame beans.
Recipe
Ingredients
1¼ standard tins of tuna, drained
80g brown rice (dry weight)
80g edamame beans
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
2 spring onions
Allergens in this meal: Cereals containing gluten, Fish, Sesame, Soybeans. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Cook the rice according to its packet instructions, then drain and cool slightly.
Drain tuna.
Slice or chop spring onions. Cook edamame beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then drain.
Arrange tuna, the cooked brown rice, edamame beans and spring onions in a bowl and finish with soy sauce and sesame oil.
Dinner465 kcal · 46g protein · 58g carbs · 25 min
Baked Cod with New Potatoes and Green Beans
Made with cod fillet, new potatoes, green beans.
Recipe
Ingredients
200g cod fillet
250g new potatoes
150g green beans
1 lemon
1 tsp olive oil
parsley, to taste
Allergens in this meal: Fish. Worked out from generic ingredient names — always read the product label.
Method
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Boil the new potatoes in lightly salted water for 15-20 minutes, until tender.
Meanwhile, put the cod fillet in a small baking dish, drizzle with the olive oil and a squeeze of lemon, and bake for 12-15 minutes, until it flakes easily.
Cook the green beans in boiling water for 4-5 minutes, then drain.
Serve with the parsley scattered over and the rest of the lemon in wedges.
Snack206 kcal · 39g protein · 0g carbs · 5 min
Sliced Cooked Chicken Breast
Made with chicken breast.
Recipe
Ingredients
125g cooked chicken breast
Method
Have cooked chicken breast to hand.
Warm the cooked chicken breast through in a non-stick pan or oven until piping hot.
Estimated cost: £65–110/week for 1 person from Aldi. Calories and macros remain per person, while shopping quantities are scaled for the household.
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Fruit
Herbs & Spices
Condiments & Oils
Tins & Jars
Extras
Sponsored #ad - container setup
Container setup for this plan
This plan has about 21 prep-friendly meals. Start with 11 main containers, 5 small sauce or snack tubs, and 2 freezer tubs.
Use 3 five-container glass packs to provide at least 11 main meal spaces, then add the separate small tubs shown above.
RecommendedMid-range glass setup
Best for regular weekday lunches, reheating at work, curry, chilli, pasta, and repeat washing.
Material
Glass
Price and availability
Check Amazon UK before buying
This plan includes saucy or reheated meals, so choose containers with secure, leak-resistant lids. If using plastic, check that it is suitable for reheating and follow the product instructions.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability can change on Amazon UK.
The One Tool This Plan Assumes
The protein and calorie figures on this plan are calculated from weighed portions. Estimating by eye is where most high-protein plans quietly drift, so a set of digital scales is the difference between following this plan and approximating it. Any scale works — this is simply a cheap, accurate one.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability can change on Amazon UK.
Kitchen scaleBudget
Salter Arc Digital Kitchen Scale
A slim, add-and-weigh digital scale with a 3kg capacity, useful for portioning rice, protein and vegetables precisely rather than guessing by eye.
Best forWeighing portions accurately for calorie or macro tracking
Good to knowNo liquid measurement mode; for sauces and liquids, a scale with an Aquatronic function is more useful.
Ranges rotate and stock varies by store, so plan a fallback for any single named product.
Fewer speciality and free-from lines than the big four, which matters for restrictive diets.
Retailer details checked 2026-07-20. Ranges and loyalty schemes change — the weekly cost estimate above is based on the plan's budget tier, not on live prices at this store.
Swaps & Suggestions
💰 Make it cheaper
Buy Aldi's Everyday Essentials range for rice, pasta, oats and tins — nutritionally identical to standard lines, at the lowest price point in store
Replace fresh salmon with tinned mackerel or sardines in brine (saves ~£2–3/week)
Buy dried pulses (lentils, chickpeas, black beans) and cook in bulk rather than tinned — cheaper per portion
Use frozen chicken breast instead of fresh (saves ~£1.50/week, same protein)
Swap fresh berries for frozen mixed berries (same nutrients, fraction of the cost)
💪 Increase protein
Add extra egg whites (3–4) to a breakfast instead of whole eggs — protein without the extra fat
Swap a carb portion for extra chicken breast or white fish on higher-hunger days
Use 0% fat Greek yogurt or quark instead of standard yogurt for the same volume, far more protein
🥦 Make it vegetarian
Replace chicken with Quorn fillets or diced firm tofu
Swap beef mince for tinned green lentils or plant-based mince
Use halloumi or feta instead of meat in lunch salads
Substitute eggs or cottage cheese for fish-based meals
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this cheap high protein plan cost per week?
This plan is designed for Aldi and is estimated at £65–110 per week for one person at typical UK prices, depending on what you already have at home. Buying in bulk and choosing own-brand items can reduce this further.
How much protein does this plan provide per day?
This plan averages 152g of protein per day across the week, based on the meals actually selected — well above general UK guidance of roughly 0.8–1.6g per kg of bodyweight for active adults.
How is this different from a generic cheap high protein plan?
Plenty of cheap high protein plans share the same 1,800 kcal target — the difference here is that the meal selection is biased toward lower-fat protein sources rather than just hitting a protein number however it can.
Can I print this cheap high protein meal plan or save it as a PDF?
Yes. Use the export / print PDF button on the plan page. The printable version summarises all 7 days at 1,800 kcal/day, the Aldi shopping list, and your chosen household portion sizes.
Is this plan suitable for meal prep?
Most recipes in this plan scale well and reheat easily. Soups, stews, and grain dishes are ideal for making in larger batches to save time midweek.
Is this plan suitable for beginners?
Yes. Recipes are rated Standard (20–30 min/day) and use ingredients available at Aldi — no specialist equipment or advanced technique is needed.
